COPD Board decisions

The Veteran's current respiratory disability, claimed as COPD/emphysema, is etiologically related to his genetic alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency and the superimposed injury of exposure to lead paint, solvents, fuel fumes, dust, smoke and various chemicals during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current lung disability, including COPD and pleural plaquing, is related to his military service exposure to asbestos. As such, the claim for service connection is granted.

The VA determined that the Veteran's chronic obstructive pulmonary disease was not incurred or aggravated by his military service, including exposure to hazardous inhalants during service.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD and emphysema are not related to his service or a service-connected condition, and thus denied these claims.

The Veteran's death was not caused by a service-connected condition, and the Board denied entitlement to cause of death benefits.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded to schedule a hearing before the Board of Veterans' Appeals at the RO in Indianapolis, Indiana.

The Veteran claims service connection for asthma and COPD, alleging exposure to mold in barracks at Keesler Air Force Base. The Board has ordered a remand due to the need for clarification on whether pre-existing hay fever represents a preexisting disability and if so, whether it was aggravated by service.

The Board found that the Veteran's COPD is not related to service or an incident of service origin, and thus denied the claim.

The Veteran's appeal is being remanded for further development of his service connection claims, including obtaining additional medical records and conducting a VA examination.

The Board has remanded the case due to issues related to service connection for hearing loss and tinnitus, as well as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The Veteran's request for a travel board hearing is granted.

The Board denied the claim for service connection for the cause of the Veteran's death, finding that the residuals of left leg cellulitis did not contribute to his death and that the primary causes were COPD and multiple strokes.

The Board has granted service connection for COPD and pulmonary fibrosis, each for accrued benefits purposes. The Veteran's COPD and pulmonary fibrosis were found to be the result of his service-connected asbestosis.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's death was caused by lung cancer, which is service-connected. However, due to a law prohibiting service connection for deaths resulting from tobacco use during service, the claim cannot be granted based on this theory of entitlement.

The Board has remanded the case for additional development, including obtaining a medical opinion regarding the cause of the Veteran's death and whether it was related to service-connected conditions or post-service employment.

The Veteran's claims for COPD, hypertension, and heart disease are being remanded due to the need to establish service connection as secondary to a psychiatric disorder. The claim of service connection for a psychiatric disorder is also being considered.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's current COPD is etiologically related to his active military service, including his in-service asbestos exposure.

The Veteran's tinnitus is found to be related to his active service, and he is granted service connection for this condition. The issues of bilateral hearing loss and a lung disability (emphysema and COPD) are remanded for further development.

The Veteran's claim for service connection for a respiratory disorder, including as due to asbestos and chemical exposure, is being remanded for additional development.

The Veteran's claim of entitlement to service connection for a chronic respiratory disability, including emphysema, COPD, and pneumonia, is being remanded due to the need for additional VA treatment records.

The Board has determined that the Veteran's COPD is not related to his military service, and therefore denied his claim for service connection.